2024-03-02 16:29:03
Bengaluru: Kerala Blasters surrendered to Bengaluru (1-0) due to a mistake in the last minute. Spanish midfielder Javi Hernandez (89) netted for Bengaluru. Both teams filled the field with attacking counter-attacks in a very exciting Southern derby. With the loss, Manjapada fell to the fifth position in the points table with 29 points. BFC improved two places to six. Blasters returned from Bengaluru’s Sreekantheerava Stadium with another debt left over to settle the score of a year ago.
In the life-or-death battle of the 10th edition of ISL, the Hornets stormed into the opposition box from the start. The Vipin Mohan-Danish Farooqui partnership was excellent in the middle order. Trouble in the final third was a setback for the Hornets in the first half. In the 43rd minute, the Fedor Zernich-Dimitrios move ended up hitting the Bengaluru defense. Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri had two good chances in the first half but missed them.
The visitors, who played more aggressively in the second half, withdrew Nihal Sudheesh early on and brought on Mohammad Ayman. In the next minute, Muhammad Ayman’s shot from Dimitrios’ through ball was caught by the goalkeeper. Playing high-line football, the Blasters constantly rattled the opposition box in the final minutes but could not break through the Bengaluru defence. In the 64th minute, Fedorsernich-Eyman missed the move. Luck helped Blasters in the 68th minute. Manjapadak was saved by the opportune intervention of goalkeeper Karanjit.
In the last minute, Daisuki Sakai was withdrawn and Malayali player KP Rahul was fielded by Vukamanovic. Seven minutes later, Fedor Zernich failed to pick up Bipin Mohan’s through ball and KP Rahul advanced down the right wing to finish off a fine ball from Boxilla. On the other hand, the hosts converted the opportunity into a goal. In the 88th minute, Chingbumsing advanced from the right wing and gave a cross to Javier Hernandez who was unmarked in the box. The ball hit the net perfectly. The Kerala goalkeeper was helpless. Blasters’ next match is against the strong Mohun Bagan at home on the 13th.
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